French Institute for Higher Defence Studies (IHEDN) Delegation Visit to USI on 29 May 2018

A 32-member delegation led by Vice Admiral (Retd) Gerard Valin, Head of the Delegation from French Institute for Higher Defence Studies (IHEDN) visited USI on 29 May 2018.

A 32-member delegation led by Vice Admiral (Retd) Gerard Valin, Head of the Delegation from French Institute for Higher Defence Studies (IHEDN) visited USI on 29 May 2018. The delegation visited USI for the second consecutive year. On 17 March 2017, a 32- member delegation from IHEDN had visited USI.

Opening remarks were made by Lt Gen PK Singh, PVSM, AVSM (Retd), Director, USI. In the first session, Shri Sanjay Singh, IFS (Retd) made a presentation on “Geo-political Developments in the Indo-Pacific Region.” He addressed the core issue of geopolitics of the Indo-Pacific region and its implications. In the second session, Vice Adm Satish Soni, PVSM, AVSM, NM (Retd) made a presentation on “China’s Maritime Silk Route and its Implications on Maritime Security in the Indo-Pacific Region.” He talked about China’s outreach initiative through its chequebook diplomacy in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). He further expanded on the Non-traditional security challenges and threats in IOR region including threats to blue economy and sustainable development, human trafficking, and climate change and rising sea levels.

In the final session, Maj Gen BK Sharma, AVSM, SM** (Retd), Dy Director (Research) made a presentation on “Geo-politics of Combatting Terrorism in Afghanistan: Implications for Regional Security.” He discussed the insurgency, the escalating violence and the role of regional and sub regional players in the Afghan crisis. He also talked about the impact of violence on the political stability of Afghanistan. It was followed by free and frank Q&A session, in which delegates actively participated. Concluding remarks were made by Lt Gen PK Singh, PVSM, AVSM (Retd), Director, USI.